Hearing postpones challenge to Rumaila deal

BAGHDAD - A member of Iraq's Parliament, challenging the first new contract signed between the Iraqi government and an international oil company, was given standing Monday by the federal court. Further hearings were postponed until March 1.

The government had challenged independent Member of Parliament Sheda Musawi's standing to file the lawsuit, since she was not authorized to do so by Parliament. The judge agreed with Musawi's argument that she has authority as an individual member but not representing the legislative body as a whole.